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Blue Ribbon Recycler Application

Tell us how awesome your business is! Can’t answer "yes" to all the questions on the application, but still want to become Blue Ribbon Recycler certified? Never fear, tell us what you are doing now and an OCRRA Recycling Specialist will schedule an onsite visit to help get you over the finish line! Already there? We’ll stop out to confirm your stellar practices and you’ll be on your way to certification.

Set up a system-wide process to keep recyclable items out of the trash. (This generally includes having numerous indoor recycling containers paired with trash cans, continuous reminders to staff about what is recyclable, and making sure your recyclables are put outside in a separate container than your trash.)YesNo

Have a waste hauler collect your recyclables or have another method in place to transport and recycle the materials. (i.e., you self-haul your recyclables to a Material Recovery Facility or to OCRRA's Rock Cut Road Drop-Off Site. Proof is required if a self-hauling option is used.)YesNo

Recycle electronics (including computers, monitors, printers and other peripheral equipment); by law these items cannot be thrown in the trash. Consider participating in the State Electronics Challenge.YesNo

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the workplace (e.g., pair next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas).Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans and plastic bottles in food preparation and consumption areas.If applicable, food service operators collect fats, oils, and grease for recycling.

Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)

Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.Purchase used or refurbished office furniture and equipment.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).Reuse boxes and packing materials for shipments.If applicable, manufacturers: reduce, recycle or eliminate by-product waste.

Industry Specific Criteria

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the workplace, including interior and exterior areas on campus (e.g., pair recycling containers next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas).Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans and plastic bottles in food preparation and consumption areas.Provide regular recycling reminders to students and personnel.If applicable, food service operators collect fats, oils, and grease for recycling.

Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)

Recycle food scraps through composting.Purchase used or refurbished office furniture and equipment.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).Participate in an ink and toner cartridge recycling program.Reuse training materials or switch to computerized training tools.Where possible, eliminate disposable cups and switch to reusable beverage containers for everyday use.

Industry Specific Criteria

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the facility (e.g., pair next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas).Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans and plastic bottles in food preparation and consumption areas.Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Collect fats, oils, and grease for recycling.

Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)

Use reusable plates and silverware.Eliminate use of Styrofoam products.Purchase at least one of these paper products: paper napkins, towels, or other tissue products, made with 100% recycled content.Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.Recycle food scraps through composting.Donate leftover food to a charity or pantry.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).If applicable, If applicable, reduce paper towel usage by adding energy-efficient air dryers.

Industry Specific Criteria

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the workplace (e.g., pair next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas).Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Include recycling information in newsletters and on website.Display OCRRA recycling brochures in public areas for residents to pick up.

Industry Specific Criteria

List recycling requirements in lease agreement.Position recycling and trash collection areas in close proximity to one another; make recycling as convenient as trash disposal.Put recycling bins for both papers and containers in common areas (e.g., entrances and meeting rooms).Label all trash areas, and trash and recycling containers properly. OCRRA provides labels at no cost.Give each tenant a recycling bin; OCRRA provides them for free. Tenants must place recyclables, loose, into designated dumpsters or Toters provided by your waste hauler. (Placing items in plastic bags is prohibited as it causes machinery problems at sorting facilities.)Remind tenants annually about what items are recyclable. This can be done through a flyer, newsletter or by utilizing OCRRA’s free materials.Tenants are able to recycle paper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail and cardboard.Tenants are able to recycle glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic bottles, including those without a deposit.Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) from common areas.Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage in office area.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content for office area.

Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)

Inform tenants on how easy it is to dispose of hazardous waste, electronic waste and batteries.Invite OCRRA do a free presentation at the facility annually or every 2 years.Reduce paper by sending newsletters to tenants electronically.If OCRRA apartment recycling bins are used, tenants are clearly informed that they cannot take them if they move to a new location.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).Participate in an ink and toner cartridge recycling program.

Industry Specific Criteria

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the workplace (e.g., pair next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas).Recycle shredded paper, in addition to other non-confidential paper.Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).Collect sharps from the community and properly disposes of them as medical waste.Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans and plastic bottles in food preparation and consumption areas.

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the workplace (e.g., pair next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas).Recycle paper from offices and at registers.Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Recycle or reuse hangers.If applicable, accept rechargeable batteries from consumers for recycling.If applicable, accept plastic bags from consumers for recycling.

Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)

Recycle shrinkwrap (e.g., via CNY Resource Recovery).Reuse product displays and shelving.Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.Offer financial incentives for customers to use their own bags or coffee mugs.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).

Industry Specific Criteria

Place recycling containers strategically throughout the facility (e.g., pair next to trash cans and place larger containers in high traffic areas). Be sure there are adequate paper and bottle / can containers in all areas, including conference and meeting rooms.Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.Purchase copy paper with at least 30% recycled content.Participate in a battery recycling program (i.e., www.call2recycle.org).Recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans and plastic bottles in food preparation and consumption areas.If applicable, food service operators collect fats, oils, and grease for recycling.If applicable, provide recycling containers in hotel/motel guestrooms for paper and bottles and cans.

Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)

Set copy machine default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper use.Set out additional recycling containers for special events / meetings.Eliminate the purchase of bottled water in offices and for meetings and conference events.Donate old linens and towels for material reclamation (i.e. Salvation Army or Rescue Mission).Employ paperless guest check in / out service.Recycle food scraps through composting.Purchase at least one of these paper products (paper napkins, towels, or other tissue products) made with 100% recycled content.